Indiscretion

by Anderson, Callie

  No.

  I stopped my thoughts from going there. I was worth more. The misery I’d feel tomorrow laced with the resentment would do nothing but hurt me.

  “I’m okay, really.”

  He smirked. “I insist. It’s just a drink.”

  “Since you insist…” I smiled. “Macallan, three fingers.” I met his eyes in a challenge, puckering my lips as I waited for his response.

  His eyebrow rose, and his smirk reappeared. “Interesting.” The word poured out of his mouth like silk. Calling over to the bartender—who jumped when she heard his voice—he ordered my drink.

  “What’s your name, beautiful?” he asked, moving his body closer to mine.

  I laughed before I shook my head at him. “Katherine,” I said, and swallowed against temptation.

  “Katherine,” he repeated, and I hated that my name sounded silky coming from his mouth. “I’m Cole.”

  When the bartender slid the drink in front of him, I reached across and grabbed the snifter. I needed to get the hell away from him. His eyes locked with mine, but I didn’t say anything. I just lifted my eyebrow, smirked, and walked away.

  I am worth more than a one-night stand, no matter how fucking hot he is.

  2

  Cole

  I watched her long legs and small frame glide across the dance floor to her friends. Her tiny excuse for a dress, and my idea of what was surely underneath it had me throbbing, needing to know more about her. Her cleavage, perky and popping out of her dress, was enough to get me hard, but once I dropped my eyes to her long legs, I knew I wanted to be buried deep between them.

  If I were being honest, I expected her to be an easier conquest. I thought she’d take the bait like any other girl would—order a drink and let me wrap her around my little finger with every word I said. Instead, I was standing at the bar uncomfortably hard as I watched her speak with her friends before she moved to a nearby couch. Surprisingly, I became more aroused just by watching her sip the scotch—her lips wrapping around the edge of the glass, her tongue licking over her lips every time she swallowed—

  “Can I get you anything else, Mr. Rhodes?” Lindsey asked.

  “Yes, please send a bottle of Macallan to that lady over there. Put it on my tab,” I answered without taking my eyes off the beautiful blonde.

  I watched as the cocktail waitress approached her. She pointed back in my direction as she spoke and I was greeted once again with those tantalizing eyes. I raised my drink to her and nodded, but she didn’t nod in return. She simply pointed for the cocktail waitress to set the bottle down as she continued to watch the dance floor.

  Frustration built inside me. I never chased tail, but she had piqued my interest, so I kicked off from the bar and stalked over to her, not knowing why I was so enticed.

  I set my drink on the table before lowering myself to the couch next to her. Her focus remained on the dance floor as if she hadn’t noticed me. My hands itched to pull her hair back so she’d pay attention when I spoke, but I resisted the urge. After all, the last thing I wanted to do was scare her off. I was possessive, but I wasn’t one to overstep. Instead, I leaned into her ear, bringing my body closer to hers and resting my hand on her thigh.

  “Do you come here often?”

  A grin grew on her face, and she looked over at me. “Seriously?”

  “What?”

  “Do the cheesy one-liners ever work for you?” She took a sip of her drink.

  “Never had an issue before.” I inched closer. “I have another one, but it may a little too forward.”

  “Really?” She turned her body toward me. “What is it?”

  “Why don’t we get out of here and I’ll tell you.”

  Her breath stopped short when she heard my voice. Though she acted as if I didn’t affect her vibe, I knew I did. I could tell by the vein pulsing in her flawless neck.

  “Not happening,” she replied before setting her drink down. She turned and faced me, her eyes bright and her cheeks flushed. “How bad is this line?”

  I licked my lips and brought them close to her ear again. “Have you ever seen the New York skyline from above at night?” She shook her head. “The view is great from my bedroom.”

  “That’s terrible.”

  “It’s a beautiful view, but nowhere as beautiful as you.”

  She inhaled a quick gasp of air, and I pulled away as she closed her eyes. “I… I can’t.” She opened her eyes, and her lips pouted. “I’m here with friends.”

  “Are you sure about that?” I said softly, making sure she was the only one who could hear me.

  Her skin paled as she looked into my eyes, and a sneer appeared on her face. Her hand reached for mine and removed it from her leg. “I’m not that type of girl. I don’t do one-night stands with random, self-assertive assholes.” She stood quickly, and with just enough room for her to pass between the coffee table and me, she turned to sidestep.

  I lifted an eyebrow and fought the urge to grab her. I wasn’t the kind of man to get rejected multiple times. She wanted me. I could see it in her eyes. Why was she fighting me so hard?

  “Last chance.”

  Her breath caught in her chest. She didn’t have an answer. I didn’t know her well, but I knew she was fighting internally with herself. She sighed and blinked, and when she opened her eyes, her mind was made up.

  “Go find someone else for your pick-up lines. It’s not going to work on me, buddy. Thanks for the drink though.” With that, she walked away from me, and I reached for my drink, watching her as she approached her friends.

  She had rejected me, but I wasn’t done with her yet.

  3

  Katherine

  I walked over to the dance floor to meet Ben and Alexa. I was drunk, horny, and couldn’t stop thinking what that view looked like. .

  Asshole. Asshole. Asshole. Hot as fuck, but still an asshole. Don’t do it. Don’t sleep with him.

  “Who’s the hot guy?” Alexa asked, her glassy eyes showing the effects of alcohol. “He looks very sophisticated.” She laughed.

  “Cole,” I responded before I turned back to look at him. He was still in the same spot I left him. My core ached, arousal pooling between my legs.

  The lights in the club changed to match the music and, as if on cue, they fell on him, on his eyes glued to mine. His thumb ran across his lower lip, and he grinned at me. My palms dampened with sweat as I chewed my bottom lip, silently lecturing myself for being weak around him. Oh, but his hands . . . his scent . . . his authoritative tone . . .

  I was soaked and ready to let him have me. Hell, his voice alone had me melting on his fingers. God!

  I closed my eyes and internally cursed Step-Daddy Dearest for fucking me up royally when it came to men. Thanks to him, I was clueless when it came to relationships. I’d spent most of my years after he left with an emptiness inside of me. He had stripped me of innocence and left me with a burning ache that radiated around my lost soul. The burning ache, I quickly fixed with painkillers and meaningless sex. Now, I was the girl who had no experience with a healthy relationship, and who had a vice for bad boys.

  Shaking the image from my head, I turned back around and decided to dance. I needed to ignore Cole, and I needed to ignore the inner voice that kept yelling at me to do what I always did—fuck him and regret it in the morning. I didn’t stop dancing until sweat dripped down my neck. Still, I couldn’t stop my wandering eye from looking for Cole any chance I had. When I spotted him standing at the bar looking directly at me, my heart raced. My body was now desperate for his touch. I poured another drink down my throat and fought the urge to walk over and ask him to take me home.

  The lights slowly came on at Quay, letting everyone know it was time to go. Lila and I locked elbows after we said goodbye to Ben and Alexa, and walked out of the club holding each other up. My feet throbbed, causing me to stumble from side to side—the fact I was a wee bit tipsy didn’t help. Once everyone cleared, I continued to lead us to
ward the end of the city block.

  Lila tripped on a crack in the sidewalk, pulling me down with her, but big, strong hands grabbed my upper body, catching me before I hit the ground. I turned to thank the stranger, but when I saw him, my body began to burn. Cole. I felt his proximity, his strong arms pulling me closer to him, and his large hands on my skin. His eyes were hazel with hints of amber and a chocolate-brown outline, and his dark brown hair was gently tousled and long enough to grip during sex. The dim lighting inside had done him no justice.

  I was mesmerized.

  “Let my driver take you home,” Cole offered.

  Lila pulled away from my grasp and began to giggle. “Oh, you are so totally yummy and fuckable. Oh, Kitty Kat, yes,” she slurred before raising her hand to high-five me. I ignored her. Sober Lila had been using her pre-med degree on me, telling me I used men to fill an emotionless void. Drunk Lila was all about getting me laid.

  “Listen, buddy. Your pick-up lines didn’t work inside, and they sure as shit aren’t going to work out here.” I managed to pull away from Cole’s strong hands, immediately missing our skin-to-skin contact. “Lila, come on. Where is Stanley with the car?” Caleb had left Lila at some point, and in a sea of people I looked for him.

  I reached for Lila to grab her arm, but she backed away. She hiccuped, then placed her hand over her mouth as she looked at Cole and me. “Caleb said he’d be right in front,” she confessed. “I’m heading to his apartment.” She looked at Cole, and a smile grew on her face. “Would you be able to take my Kitty Kat home?” she slurred.

  Fuckin’ A.

  “I’ll get a cab,” I interrupted, not wanting to give Cole any ideas. The black town car appeared and Stanley, Caleb’s usual driver, stepped out to open the door for Lila. I walked her to the car and hugged her goodbye.

  Pulling away, she looked at me. “Don’t get a cab, Kitty Kat.”

  “I thought you said I was done sleeping around. That I needed to grow up,” I said through gritted teeth.

  “Eh. Start being an adult tomorrow. You deserve one last night of fun. Let the hottie take you home. We’re celebrating you tonight. Besides, when was the last time you got some that hot?”

  We both looked at Cole. I didn’t remember the last time I had sex—vibrating toys didn’t count. My last semester I’d focused all my energy on my grades.

  “Get in the car, Lila. Call me tomorrow.” I closed the door behind her. Once the car drove away, I turned to face Cole. “I’m getting a cab.”

  “Look around you.” He motioned to the busy street. “All the cabs are occupied, and the line for one is wrapped around the block. I have my limo. I don’t need to take you to my place, but let me at least take you home. It’s two in the morning, and I don’t want to think about you walking by yourself.”

  Was I wrong to judge him? “Crap.” I looked at the never-ending cab line.

  Biting his lower lip, he came closer to me. “So, can I take you home? We don’t have to go back to my place. I’ll be on my best behavior.” He raised his hands in defense and smiled a smile that had me contemplating what I should do.

  Lila was right. I was here celebrating, so why not end the night with a bang? Pun intended. “Yes . . . but you can take me to your place.” I shrugged. “Take me to see that view.

  He grabbed my hand and pulled me to him as he wrapped his arms around my body and bent me backward. His mouth invaded mine with a carnal hunger, kissing me with fervor as my body hastily submitted. My mouth opened, allowing him to explore, and a soft moan escaped me. My knees weakened with each stroke of his tongue.

  “Are you sure about this?” he asked, pulling away from my lips and kissing my chin . . . my cheek . . . my neck.

  The wetness between my legs answered for me. “Yes, I’m sure.” My knees wobbled a little with every breath I took, but I stood on my tiptoes and leaned in, bringing my lips back to his and kissing him with the fire burning deep inside of me.

  I was just sinking my hands into that perfect brown hair of his when he broke away and quickly escorted me to the back of his limo. He set his hand on my lower back as he held the door open. I didn’t make eye contact with the driver standing next to the car. I told myself this was the only going to happen this one time—no need to let anyone see my face.

  The second he closed the door, Cole’s lips were on mine again. I tried to keep my legs closed, but he moved over, positioning himself between them. His mouth moved down my neck, and I moaned with each kiss he planted on my skin. His hands moved up my body, tracing small, enticing circles over my breasts. I leaned back on the cool leather seat and opened myself to him, the ache between my legs throbbing. Chills ran up my spine as his hands slid between my legs and up my thighs, stoking the fire within my core.

  The alcohol running through my body gave me courage, and the words that came out of my mouth were filled with need and desire. “I’m so wet,” I said, opening my legs wider for him and biting down on my lip for fear of rejection. I reached down between us, slid my thong to the side and rubbed my clit for him, the juices on my fingers letting my hand slide easily as the buildup became unbearable.

  And just like that, the girl who knew she deserved better was gone. I was back to my old ways, and God, did I love it.

  He knelt on the limo floor and watched my middle finger swivel around. “God, Kat, you’re so fucking ready.” I brought my fingers to my lips and sucked off my wetness. Cole’s eyes burned through me. “You keep doing that, and I’m going to fuck you so hard in this limo that we won’t make it to the bedroom.”

  I popped my finger out of my mouth and returned to rubbing small circles around my clit. “Are you just going to stare while I please myself, or are you going to help?”

  Removing my hands, he brought his mouth to my clit, slowly sucking and licking each crevice as my hands ran through his soft-as-silk hair. My body arched into him, adding pressure to my core. With each lick between my lips, I climbed higher. I felt my core pulsing and aching for release.

  He pushed two fingers deep inside of me, rubbing against my G-spot, then positioned his mouth over my clit and sucked hard as he pumped his fingers. I cried out and came apart in his hands, losing my breath and my sense of feeling as I whimpered under his touch. I rode out the high, trembling as Cole lightly licked my clit until I was done. Taking his fingers out of me, he brought them to his mouth and licked each one. I blushed both turned on and embarrassed that I had let him have me in the back of the limo

  Fuck. The alcohol was wearing off. Reality was setting it. No, push it away. Regret this tomorrow.

  “Don’t be shy now, doll,” he said as he wiped the side of his mouth. “You’re the one who asked if I was going to help.”

  I reached up and grabbed the sides of his face, pulling his mouth to mine and kissing my orgasm off his tongue. He fixed the bulging erection in his pants. I reached down to assist him as the limo stopped in an underneath parking garage. He slowly pulled away, a devilish grin plastered on his face.

  “We’re here, sweetness.”

  I pulled my hem down and climbed out of the car, following him to what looked like a service elevator. When we entered, he waved a key card near the button panel and hit a floor button while the doors closed behind us. He spun, pressing my body against the mirror, and lowered his lips to my neck. With each floor we passed, my heart pounded harder and harder in my chest.

  “I need you. Desperately.”

  My body melted at his words, but fear and insecurity ran deep. How would I feel about this tomorrow? Another walk of shame? Another man. Another one-night stand. I was worthy of more.

  When the cart stopped, and the elevator door opened, Cole reached for my hand, but I couldn’t move. I couldn’t do this to myself again. I had worked too hard to get clean and sober, and this was a slip back to what I knew. He was a slippery slope that would lead me back to my old ways.

  Fuck.

  4

  Katherine

  “I have to go.�
�� I pulled my hand away and turned back to the elevator.

  “Katherine, what’s wrong?” I heard him call from behind me, but I didn’t look back. I couldn’t. I was mortified. This man wanted nothing more than sex. He was looking for a good time.

  I was looking for validation.

  The elevator doors opened instantly, and I ran in and pressed the lobby button. Finally finding the courage to look at him, I said, “Cole, I can’t. I’m sorry.”

  After the words came out of my mouth, I lost the courage to keep my eyes focused on him, and I bowed my head to the floor in shame. My heart raced in my chest, and my core still twitched from the orgasm he’d given me.

  The doors closed in front of me, and I fell, letting my knees hit the hard floor. Why couldn’t I just be a normal girl? Why did I need to have horrible fucking daddy issues?

  Fucking great.

  * * *

  Saturday, I lurked around the house in my pajamas. After the night I had, I refused to leave, so I curled up on the couch with Chinese take-out and gelato. Lila strolled through the front door with a huge smile plastered on her face, not caring that it was one in the afternoon and she was just now doing the walk of shame.

  Lila and Caleb had been fuck buddies all throughout college. His family came from a long line of trust fund babies who owed their wealth to different industries, enterprises, and so on. Though it was clear as day he was interested in a more serious relationship, she always told him she didn’t want a boyfriend until she was thirty. Lila was convinced that your twenties were when you found yourself, worked your ass off, and partied hard. Though Caleb was spotted with other women, he never said no to Lila when she called, no matter what time of day it was. Lila had entertained a casual date or two, but nothing ever stuck. I was convinced she was in love with Caleb but afraid to admit it to herself.